When I was a kid we had a 1967 Jag, nice car to drive if/when it started. Lucas electrical, two small gas tanks, lots of leather seals everywhere, crazy inboard rear disk brakes. It did have an independent rear rear end and overhead cams - have Americans invented these two features yet?

IRS is nothing new, Corvettes (1963) have had them for decades and there are plenty of American cars with overhead cams (Pontiac in 1966). None however with the worst electrical system ever inflicted on man though.

IRS is nothing new, Corvettes (1963) have had them for decades and there are plenty of American cars with overhead cams (Pontiac in 1966). None however with the worst electrical system ever inflicted on man though.

I was kidding a bit as American companies are very slow adopters, but I'd rather have a classic American car any day over the Jag.

As an alleged 'hippie/lefty/commie/liberal' I guess I should subscribe to the view that nobody should have a car like this, but seriously WTF?!? What the hell is wrong with a) Someone HAVING a car like this; b) Someone putting a bike rack on it so they can take a bike somewhere...? I cannot believe the pantie twisting going on about all of it! BFD...

By the way, I found this on the subject of Fagerlin, and found it amusing... (apologies if it is something that has been posted/read before, wouldn't be the first time this happened):

We open on a cozy dining room in a well-appointed house in northern California. The Fagerlin family sits down to an abundant dinner of roast chicken, steamed brown rice, mixed veggies and a baguette of designer bread. A bottle of fine Napa wine finishes off the bounty.

Mrs. Fagerlin (to Pete): "Honey, would you like a leg or a breast?"

Pete: "are we talking about the chicken?"

(insert laughter)

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Honey! Not in front of Petey Jr.!"

the Fagerlins all dine on their dinner and beverages...

Mrs. Fagerlin: "So how was work today honey?"

Pete: "Well, it was going ok until Adam's dog died"

Petey Jr.: "I like doggies!"

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Oh I'm so sorry, have I met Adam?"

Pete: "No, you haven't. He, um, posts on MTBR"

Mrs. Fagerlin: "what's MTBR?"

Pete: "It's a message board on the internet for cyclists, but this nimrod thought he could use it as a substitute for real friends and family, it had NOTHING to do with bikes. Nothing."

Mrs. Fagerlin: "oh, but you know him from riding?"

Pete: "Um, no, we've never met"

Petey Jr.: "Why did the doggie have to die, daddy?"

Pete: "That's not important kid. What is important is that these lame, sniveling newbies don't understand what true cycling passion is all about."

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Please pass the chic....."

Pete: "HANG ON LADY! So then 'Singletrack' makes some comment about cars and man I put him right in his place by telling him that it's WHO posts that matters. If it's the owner of the site, then it's cool, so then I call him a 'D!ck'.

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Honey, your langua....."

Pete: "Quiet!" So then 'ronny' snipes at me and BAM! I call him an a$$hole and move on to the next loser. Who wants some? I guess it's Soupboy, who I reduce to tears by calling him 'Soupchild'. BOOYA! Now I'm hitting my stride - it's beautiful! I'm untouchable! I dispatch SDtrailblazer with a swift "LOL" and "Boo Hoo", LocoMan chimes in and I take him out with a "ROTFLMAO", and then..."

Petey Jr.: "Daddy what's "ROTFL..."

Pete: "eat your chicken, junior"

we cut to Mrs. Fagerlin who is obviously uncomfortable and is thinking about how to get out of the situation that's developing at the table.

Pete: "Well looky here, if it isn't Donkey, asking to step into the House of Pain...."

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Petey, come with mommy for a minute to the bathroom, you need to blow your nose"

Petey Jr. "ok mommy"

Pete continues to boast of his debate victories as Mrs. Fagerlin and Petey Jr. now make a mad dash for the garage. Pete hears the engine of his Porsche rev up and races to see what's going on.

Petey Jr.: "Where are we going mommy? Where's daddy?"

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Daddy isn't feeling too well right now so we're going to spend some time with grandma"

Just then Pete bursts into the garage, nostrils flared and eyes bulging.

Mrs. Fagerlin: "Jesus! Petey lock your door!"

Petey Jr. (crying): "what's wrong with daddy, why does he look like that?"

Mrs. Fagerlin races the Porsche down the street and out of the nice, otherwise quiet neighborhood. We cut to Pete standing in the driveway, shouting "BUT THEY'RE ALL INFERIOR A$$HOLES!!!!!! AND THEY CAN'T SPELL......"

and we disolve to black.

stay tuned for scenes from next week's episode where Pete breaks into the office at the mental ward to log on to MTBR....

Oh, and while on the subject of vehicle electrics, and Lucas in particular, yes they were awful, but probably not a lot more awful than the alternatives at the time... Having owned both old Brit bikes from the 60s, and Italian bikes from the 70s, I have to say I have junked probably more Italian electrical components over the years...